Australia script history, demolish SL bowlers to post their highest Test score in Asia

Australia National Cricket Team have scripted history in Test cricket. The Aussies posted their highest-ever Test score in the longest format of the game in Asian conditions on Thursday (30th January).

Australia National Cricket Team achieved the feat during the ongoing first Test of the two-match series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. The opening game between the teams is taking place at the Galle International Stadium in Galle, which witnessed a festival of runs.

Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and Josh Inglis slam centuries as Australia post a total of 654 runs on the board

Australia National Cricket Team opted to bat first and it was a dominating performance from their end. Travis Head (57) slammed a whirlwind half-century, but after he got out, Marnus Labuschagne (20) also fell early, and the Steve Smith-led side was left at 135/2.

But after that, it was Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith who stole the limelight and played magnificently. The duo were all over the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team bowlers and made them look clueless as they added 266 runs partnership to put their team at the top position.

While Usman Khawaja played his career-best innings of 232 runs, Steve Smith slammed his 35th Test hundred and ended with a knock of 141 runs. After they got out, the show was stolen by Josh Inglis, who made his debut for the Australia National Cricket Team in Tests.

Josh Inglis slammed 102 runs off 94 balls before Alex Carey (46*) played a vital hand as well. Beau Webster (23) and Mitchell Starc (19*) also contributed as Australia National Cricket Team posted a total of 654 runs on the board before Steve Smith declared the innings.

Australia register their highest Test score in Tests in Asia, surpassing their last score of 617 runs

This was the highest Test score for Australia in Tests in Asia, surpassing their last score of 617 runs, which came during a Test against Pakistan in Faisalabad.

Australia's highest Test score in Asia:

654/6* : vs Sri Lanka, Galle (2025)*

617/10 : vs Pakistan, Faisalabad (1980)

599/4d : vs Pakistan, Peshawar (1998)

581/4d : vs Bangladesh, Chattogram (2006)

577/10 : vs India Delhi (2008)

Australia's highest Test score in Asia:

632/6* : vs 🇱🇰, Galle (2025)*
617/10 : vs 🇵🇰, Faisalabad (1980)
599/4d : vs 🇵🇰, Peshawar (1998)
581/4d : vs 🇧🇩, Chattogram (2006)
577/10 : vs 🇮🇳, Delhi (2008) pic.twitter.com/fpSGjsRvHX

— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) January 30, 2025

Australia post the second-highest Test score by a visiting team in Sri Lanka

This was also the second-highest Test score by a visiting team in Sri Lanka. They are below India National Cricket Team, who have the highest score by visiting team, as they posted 707 runs in 2010.

Highest Test Score by a Visiting Team in SL:

707/10 - India, Colombo 2010

654/6d - Australia, Galle 2025

638/10 - Bangladesh, Galle 2013

622/9d - India, Colombo 2017

600/8d - Pakistan, Galle 2000

Highest Test Score by a Visiting Team in SL:

707/10 by 🇮🇳, Colombo 2010
654/6d by 🇦🇺, Galle 2025*
638/10 by 🇧🇩, Galle 2013
622/9d by 🇮🇳, Colombo 2017
600/8d by 🇵🇰, Galle 2000 pic.twitter.com/VFk7BRu6as

— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) January 30, 2025

After posting a massive total on the board, the hosts then started off pretty well with the ball. Matthew Kuhnemann picked the opening wicket as he removed Oshada Fernando before Mitchell Starc removed Dimuth Karunaratne to provide his team with the second wicket.

Also read: Usman Khawaja creates history with sensational double ton in Sri Lanka, becomes first Aussie to...